Tyler Morton has discussed his lack of opportunities in his final season at Liverpool under Arne Slot, who he did not feel he had the trust of as a squad player.
Morton made a permanent move to Lyon over the summer after being kept in reserve for the 2024/25 season, playing just 253 minutes across five appearances.
A potential switch to join Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen was on the cards before the start of last season, but Slot wanted to keep the midfielder around as a backup option.
But it proved a frustrating season for Morton, who felt he did all he could to earn more first-team opportunities under Slot, but they did not arise.
Speaking to SPORTbible about his exit after 17 years at the club, Morton was asked if he thought Slot rated him, and that is where the subject of trust arose.
He said, “I think he thought I was a good player, but I don’t feel the trust was there as much. In my opinion, the limited opportunities were down to trust and not ability.
“When I got my opportunity in the cup, I felt like I played well. That’s all I could say.
“I stuck at it, stayed focused, got through to the end of the season and played in the under-21 Euros, which was amazing.”
He added: “I had a few conversations with him (Slot) during the season. A lot of footballers can be bitter about not playing and let their egos get in the way, but I’m not that type of lad.
“I personally disagreed with the limited amount of game time I got last season, but that was out of my control. I did everything I could.
“I played for the under-21s when a lot of players wouldn’t. I did everything in my power to stay fit and mentally focused for when my time came, and I still got limited opportunities.
“I just wanted to play. I don’t think I was asking for too much, even if it was coming off the bench in the Premier League…anything, to be honest.”
The trip to PSV in the Champions League was seen as an obvious chance at minutes, but Slot opted to start James McConnell over the 22-year-old, who instead settled for 39 minutes off the bench.
On that selection, Morton said: “I think the PSV game – when I had to keep my head fully – was difficult. It was a dead rubber match, they’d already gone through in the Champions League, and I didn’t start.
“That’s when pure frustration kicked in.
“I understand what happened,” he added. “I’d agreed to get my [shoulder] operation a couple of weeks after the PSV game, but I played through the pain for that opportunity to play in the Champions League.”
While it did not work out at his boyhood club despite his clear potential, Morton has impressively put the season of frustration behind him.
He is thriving with Lyon as a regular in their midfield, and he says he is “really proud of myself for getting through last season and getting myself to this position.”
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